Pad for serating



Nov. 5, 1963 c. EAMES 3,109,679

PAD FOR SEATING Filed Oct. 2, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. 644%!55'54/755 Nov. 5, 1963 c, EAMES 3,109,679

PAD FOR SEATING Filed 001.. 2, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 0/4/24554I7s Nov. 5, 1963 c. EAMES 3,109,679

PAD FOR SEATING Filed Oct. 2. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent3,109,679 PAD FQR SEATING Charles Eames, Venice, Calif., assignor toHerman Miller, Inc., Zeeland, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed Oct.2, 1961, Ser. No. 142,069 12 Claims. (Cl. 297-458) This inventionrelates to seating and more particularly to a pad or cushion forseating.

While this invention is usable in household applications, it isspecifically designed to withstand the type of usagecommon to publicseating. Public seating must be stronger, more durable and more capableof withstanding abuse than household seating. This invention is designedto provide a pad particularly adapted to satisfy these requirements.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a pad of such designthat it may be stretched between two supporting frame members in thenature of a suspended web. Mounted in this way, it may be used either asa seat or as a back. This type of mounting, utilizing a pad of properconstruction, gives the pad a substantial degree of resilience or givewhereby it may conform generally to the anatomy of the user. At the sametime, it affords the user firm and comfortable support in areas of highloading. This assures the user a feeling of dependable support orsecurity when utilizing this invention.

Only in recent years has it been recognized that the pressure exerted bythe human body on a support, such as a seat, is not uniform throughoutthe area of contact. Certain areas are subjected to highly concentratedloads whereas other areas are subjected to relatively light loads. Oneof the objectives of this invention is to provide a flexible bodysupport which, to a certain degree, will reshape itself in response tothis type of loading so that the pressure between the human body and theseat is more evenly distributed. This eliminates the area of highloading and prevents them from becoming uncomfortable to the user overan extended period of time.

The pad is designed to provide firm support to the user at its two freeedges. These edges would be the front and back of a seat or the top, andbottom of a back. These are areas of high stress concentration. Thedesign of the pad provides these areas with extra reinforcement and thefirmness necessary to give the user a feeling of support and securitywithout creating a zone of concentrated resistance against the usersbody which will cause discomfort.

In addition to being comfortable, it is essential that this pad bestrong and capable of withstanding long, hard usage. To this end, thepad has been designed so that it distributes its loads into thesupporting frame over a large area with a minimum of concentratedpressure points which might ultimately cause structural failure. At thesame time, it is built of materials which will withstand the severeusage incident to public seating. Its surface characteristics areresistant to soiling and may be readily cleaned. Tofacilitatemaintenance, the pad is so designed that it may be quickly and easilyreplaced as a unit. This is essential to public seating due to the highincident of damage, such as staining, ripping, or cutting. This isnecessary even though the pad is made of durable, wear resistantmaterials.

i The pad is so designed that the rigid structure necessary for itssupport can be confined entirely to the sides. Thus, it never comes incontact with the user to create a pressure point. This is an importantfactor in assuring proper comfort.

The pad is designed to facilitate its manufacture. This 3,109,679Patented Nov. 5, 1963 ice also assures uniformity of construction bothas to size and strength. It also reduces its production cost.

These and other objects and purposes of this invention will be readilyunderstood by those acquainted with the design and construction ofseating equipment upon reading the following specification and theaccompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an oblique, top view of a pad incorporating this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken along the plane IIII ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken along the plane Ill-III ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken along the same generalplane as FIG. 3 but showing a slightly modified construction for theedge of the pad;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken along the plane VV of FIG.1;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, oblique view of a modified construction for thelateral edges of the pad;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, plan view of the reinforcement used in the edgeconstruction illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional, elevational view taken along the plane VIIIVIIIof FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, plan view of a still further modification ofthe side portions of the pad;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, schematic view of one edge of the padassembled ready for fabrication;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing the edge of the pad being fabricatedby heat sealing;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the pad, inverted, with a reinforcementstrip added ready for the edge to be folded;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the pad showing the edge partiallyfolded;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing the edge of the pad after it hasbeen folded;

(FIG. 15 is a fragmentary, sectional view showing the edge of the padclamped to a supporting structure.

, In executing the objects and purposes of this invention, a pad isprovided having a core of flexible foam enclosed in an envelope of adurable, flexible material such as a reinforced plastic. The side edgesof the pad are flattened and having beads running parallel to the edgeof the pad to facilitate its attachment to a supporting structure. Thefront and back edges of the pad have foam filled tubular sectionsrunning parallel to the edge. Two of these are provided, one of which isfolded back upon the other to form an edge roll of double thickness. Inthose edges subjected to particularly high loading, such as the frontedge of the seat pad and the top edge of the back pad, a furtherreinforcement member is incorporated in the rolled edge to stiffen it.

Referring to the drawings and specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, the pad 10has a top web 1 and a bottom exterior web 2. The lower side of the padis reinforced by an inner or reinforcing web 3. These webs form anenvelope within which is a core '4 of a flexible foam material. The core4 is between the webs =1 and 3. The core '4 may be of any suitablematerial, such as a flexible, vinyl, polyurethane o-r foam rubber. Vinylis considered preferable because of its heat sealing qualities. It maybe of any suitable thickness such as, for example, approximatelytearing. It is not stained, deteriorated or otherwise mechanically orchemically affected by perspiration. It also may be surface cleaned bywashing. This latter is an important factor in connection with publicseating.

The interior bottom web 3 may also be of any suitable high strength,flexible material, such as a fabric reinforced plastic material.However, unlike the webs 1 and 2, it need not have an attractiveexternal appearance nor need it be as resistant to abrasion since it isconcealed and protected against mechanical abuse. However, it should becharacterized by high tensile strength since its major purpose is tohelp support the tension loads applied to the bottom of the pad. Thelower webs 2 and 3 are preferably provided with a number of smallapertures to permit the interior of the pad to breathe. This isnecessary since the pad will tend to be flattened when a load is appliedto it and due to the elastic memory of the materials from which the padis made, it will tend to return to its original thickness when the loadis relieved. This requires a degree of freedom for air interchangebetween the interior and exterior of the pad.

.It is important that the materials for the webs 1, 2 and 3 resistpermanent elongation. If any significant degree of permanent elongationoccurs, the pads will rapidly be stretched out of shape. This will makethem uncomfortable as well as unsightly. It is also important that theirelongation under loading be limited so that they will not stretch or sagto the point being in a deep trough either when he initially sits downor comes to assume such a position due to gradual stretching over aperiod of time.

Along certain lines in the main body portion of the pad, the bottom webs2 and 3 are firmly joined to the top web '1 by heat sealing. These bondlines are indicated by the numeral 5. It will be recognized that theselines may be arranged in patterns diiferent than that illustrated inFIG. 1. The heat sealing forms a permanent bond, firmly joining the webstogether. In the area of the bond lines 5, the foam core 4 may either beomitted or it can be eliminated by the heat sealing process itself. Theheat sealing is effected by suitable dies which apply heat and pressure,forcing the top and bottom of the pad together. The heating, withcertain types of foam, will melt the foam, permitting the webs to bebrought into contact with each other. This is true of the vinyl foams,making them particularly suitable for use in this pad. The bond lines 5reinforce the pad and keep the top and bottom webs reasonably uniformlyspaced so that one will not have a tendency to drape or hang away fromthe other.

The forming of the edge rolls 18 and 180: will now be described. Thebasic components of the pad are first assembled as indicated in FIG. 10.They consist of the top web 1, core'4, interior or reinforcing web 3 andthe lower exterior web 2. The lower exterior web terminates just 7beyond the point where its edge will be incorporated in the hereinafterdescribed bond 20. In the particular construction shown, the core 4extends into the edge portion. 7

However, it will be recognized that it may be terminated adjacent thebond line 20 and the cores of the hereinafter described tubes 24 and 25formed by separate strips of foam.

Along two opposite edges of the pad, a triple line of heating scaling isapplied forming bond lines 20', 21 and 2 2,

as indicated in FIG. 10. Here the combination of pressure and heatapplied by the heat sealing equipment 23 bonds the upper and lower webstogether, forming two spaced, parallel, foam filled ridges or tubes 24and 25. The outer tube 25 is then folded back upon the undersurface ofthe inner tube 24, as indicated in FIG. 13 (the pad is shown inverted inFIGS. 12, 13 and 14). The outer edge of the pad is reinforced by foldingthe top web 1 I back over the projecting edge of the bottom web 2 andsewing the two together by the stitching 26 to form the hem 27 (FIG.12). When the tube '25 has been folded completely back on the tube 24,the hem 27 is sewn to 4 the pad by the stitching 28 along the bond linethe main pad body (FIG. 14). This forms the edge roll 18. Thus, the edgeis reinforced by an enlarged tube or elongated bulb having a doublethickness of the foam, and

- of the surface web materials. This strengthens the edge,

gives it increased resistance to deflection and at the same time makesit comfortable because it has extra cushioning or padding effect.

In certain of the edges, such as the front edge of a seat pad and thetop edge of a back pad, it is desirable to further stiffen and reinforcethe pad. This is accomplished by placing a reinforcing strip 29 betweenthe inner and outer tubes 24 and 2 5 as they are folded one uponanother. This process is illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 and formsthe edge roll 180. While the reinforcement strip 29 may be bonded to oneof the tubes, it is preferably left free to permit a limited degree ofsliding movement and thus adthat the user has the feeling of justment tothe position and types of loads imposed upon the edge roll. Thereinforcement strip is preferably of a strong material resistant tobuck-ling under lateral compression but in a long strip may be flexedlengthwise. A suitable material would be a highly compressed, hard,fiberboard. This material will not rupture even though bent over an arcof reasonably small radius. Yet it has memory to return to its originalshape even after many cycles of such flexing. It will, thus, impart adegree of stiffness in the edge roll without creating a sharply definedzone of resistance which would cause discomfort. Also, embedding itwithin the edge roll will insulate it against feel by the user. I

As is specifically shown in FIG. 2, the external Web 2 on the lower sideof the pad is terminated just beyond the heat seal joint 20. Therefore,the surfaces of the tubes 24 and 25 are formed by the top web -1 and theinternal reinforcing web 3. In the folding process, the web 3 is foldedinside the tube and therefore remains concealed. Also, it isforeshortene-d and the excess material thus created is permitted tobuckle into folds, as indicated at 17 (FIG. 2). 1

Along the side margins of the pad, the foam core 4 is eliminated and thewebs 1, 2 and 3 are heat sealed together lover a wide area to form awide, laterally extend ing flange 30. Approximately midway between theedge of the foam core 4 and the edge of the pad, a bead 31 is formed.The head 31 has a foam core 32 and, as indicated in FIG. 3, may extendoutwardly only from one surface of the flange or, as indicated in FIG.4, the bead 31a may extend from both surfaces of the pad. The foam corewithinrthe bead may be provided by placing a special strip of foam forthis purpose between the upper and lower webs or the foam core 4 may beextended to the edge of the pad and then eliminated by heat sealingexcept in the area of the head. The beads 31 and 31a provide an anchorfor the edge of the pad, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

Neither the edge rolls 18 and 1841 nor the beads 31 extend into thecorner portions of the pad as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. Theconstruction of the corner portions is best illustrated in FIG. 5wherein they are shown to be folded over upon themselves in the samemanner as they would be in the edge roll 18 were the foam eliminated.The folded over layers are joined bystit'ching, as illustrated at 33(FIG. 5). Grommets '34 are installed through the folded overcorners ofthe pad to provide metal reinforced openings. Similar grommets 34 arealso provided at at least one intermediate point along each of thelateral edge margins of the pad. In the area of the intermediategrommets 34, the bead 31 is eliminated.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate a modified construction for the lateraledges of the pad 1a. In this construction a reinforcement member 6 0which is preferably a metal rod is incorporated in the edge. Atintervals it is flattenedto form a washerlike area 61. Each of the areas61 has a central hole 62. The member 60 extends substantially the fulllength of the edge with (the body portions 63 adjacent i forming thecore of the bead 31b and the areas 6-1 forming a reinforcement aroundeach of holes 64. The holes may be further reinforced by grommets 65similar to the grommets 34. The member 60 must be capable of flexingsufliciently to permit the pad to conform to the contour of the frame towhich the pad is attached.

The member 60 is placed between the webs of the pad before heat sealingand is locked into place by the heat sealing process. The structure maybe further strengthened by precoating the member 60 with a suitableadhesive which will positively bond it to the webs.

In this construction the member 61 prevents the forces generated aboutthe openings 64 from causing bearing failure in the pad materials. Thecontinuity of the member also spreads the loads around the openings 64,materially reducing their intensity. It also makes the bead 31b rigidand thus incapable of being collapsed even under severe compressivepressures.

In this construction the number .of openings 64 is increased over thatshown in FIG. 1. The number of these openings is a matter of designchoice depending upon the characteristics of the materials used and thecircumstances of final use of the pad.

It is also possible as suggested in FIG. 9 to limit the embeddedreinforcement to the area immediately surrounding each of the openings64. In this case a washerlike rigid reinforcement 66 is used. Theopenings may be further reinforced with grommets or in appropriate casesthese may be omitted, reliance for bearing being placed entirely uponthe reinforcement 66. The reinforcement 66 is shown as circular, butcould be square, rectangular or elliptical if desired.

FIG. 15 illustrates the purpose of the head 31. Here the lateral edge'30 of the pad ":1 is clamped between the two halves 40* and 4th: of theinternally recessed supporting frame 41. The two halves 40 and 40a aredrawn together by any suitable means such as the bolt 42. This causesthe frame to clamp tightly about the side 30 of the pad with the bead3'1 acting as a stop, preventing the pad from working its way out fromthe clamp formed by the supporting frame 4 1. The bolt 42 may also passthrough one of the grommets -34 to positively anchor the pad. This isparticularly useful as a temporary pad holding means during installationbefore the clamp can be secured. This type of arrangement assures alarge area of load transmission from the pad to the supportingstructure. This materially increases the life of the pad and preventslocalized destruction due to concentrated loads applied in limitedareas.

This invention provides a strong, durable pad for public seating. At thesame time, its construction permits the use of materials particularlyadapted to facilitate renovation by cleaning. Also, it permits the useof materials which are abrasion and tear resistant. It accomplishes thiswithout sacrifice of comfort and permits the whole unit to be flexible,resilient, and to afford a high degree of cushioning effect to the user.Its construction permits the pad to afford firm but contour conformingsupport to the user without the areas of high resistance to deformationwhich cause discomfort. It is particularly adapted to rapid and simplereplacement. This permits damaged units to be repaired quickly and atminimal cost. This also makes it possible to keep the units neat andpresentable at all times.

While a primary embodiment together with two modifications of thisinvention have been described, it will be recognized that otherembodiments of the invention may be made without departing from theprinciples of the invention. Such of these modifications as embody theprinciples of the invention are to be considered as included within thelanguage of the hereinafter appended claims unless these claims by theirlanguage expressly state otherwise.

-I claim:

1. A pad for body supporting furniture comprising: an

envelope of materials characterized by flexibility and high resistanceto wear; said pad having a pair of opposite side portions and a pair ofopposite end portions; said envelope between said side and end portionsbeing the main body of said pad and filled with a flexible foam; saidend portions having a pair of foam filled ridges each of the samegeneral thickness as the main body of said pad; said ridges extendinglengthwise of said end portions and being separated from each other andfrom said main body of said pad by areas where said envelope materialsof the opposite faces thereof are in contact with each other and joinedtogether; the outer of said ridges being folded back upon the inner onethereof and means securing said outer ridge in said folded position toimpart to said end portions greater body and stiffness than that of saidmain body of said pad.

2. A pad as described in claim 1 wherein a stiffener is positioned alongone end between said inner and outer ridges when they are in foldedposition; said stiffener being thin and extending substantially the fulllength of said end; said stiffener being flexible lengthwise and rigidcrosswise.

3. A pad as described in claim 1 wherein said foam terminates short ofsaid side portions and said side portions are thinner than the main bodyof said pad; an elongated head on each of said side portions; said beadsprojecting outwardly from the surface of said pad, spaced from andextending parallel to the margin thereof.

4. A pad as described in claim 1 wherein said foam terminates shont ofsaid side portions and said side portions are thinner than the main bodyof said pad; an elongated bead on each of said side portions; said beadsprojecting outwardly from the surface of said pad, spaced from andextending parallel to the margin thereof; hollow reinforcement membersmounted in each of said side portions at spaced intervals and definingholes through said pad.

5. A pad as described in claim 1 wherein said foam terminates short ofsaid side portions and said side por tions are thinner than the mainbody of said pad; a reinforcement member extending lengthwise of each ofsaid side portions and embedded therein; openings at spaced intervalsthrough said pad and said reinforcement members; elongated beads on eachof said side portions between said openings; said reinforcement memberforming the core of said heads.

6. A pad for body supporting furniture comprising: an envelope ofmaterials characterized by flexibility and high resistance'to wear; saidpad having a pair of opposite side portions; said envelope between saidside portions being the main body of said pad and tilled with a flexiblefoam; said foam terminating short of said side portions and said sideportions being thinner than the main body of said pad; an elongated beadon each of said side portions; said beads projecting outwardly from thesurface of said pad, spaced from and extending parallel to the marginthereof; an incompressible reinforcement member embedded in each of saidside portions; said reinforcement member forming the core of said bead.

7. A pad for body supporting furniture comprising; an envelope ofmaterials characterized by flexibility and high resistance to wear; saidpad having a pair of opposite side portions; said envelope between saidside portions being the main body of said pad and filled with a flexiblefoam; said foam terminating short of said side portions and said sideportions being thinner than the main body of said pad; an elongated headon each of said side portions; said beads projecting outwardly from thesurface of said pad, spaced from and extending parallel to the marginthereof; an incompressible reinforcement member embedded in each of saidside portions said reinforcement member forming the core of said bead;said side portions each having openings-therethrough at spacedintervals; said reinforcement member surrounding each of said openings.

8. A pad-for body'supporting furniture comprising: a pad of flexiblematerial, said pad having a pair of opposite side portions and a pair ofopposite end portions; said end portions each having an enlarged tubularmember extending substantially the full length thereof; said tubularmember being filled with a flexible foam for forming an enlargedimpressionable reinforcement for said ends and being substantiallythicker than the remainder of said pad; a stiffener embedded in at leastone of said tubular members and extending the length thereof; saidstiffener being flexible lengthwise and rigid crosswise.

9. A pad for body supporting furniture comprising: a pad of flexiblematerial, said pad having a pair of opposite side portions and a pair ofopposite end portions; said end portions each having an enlarged tubularmember extending substantially the full length thereof; said tubularmember being filled with a flexible foam for forming an enlargedimpressionable reinforcement for said ends and being substantiallythicker than the remainder of said pa d; said side portions havingelongated beads therein projecting outwardly from a surface of said pad,spaced from and extending parallel to the margin thereof.

10. A pad for body supporting furniture comprising: a pad of flexiblematerial, said pad having a pair of opposite side portions and a pair ofopposite end portions; said end portions each having an enlarged tubularmember extending substantially the full length thereof; said tubularmember being filled with a flexible foam for formi ing an enlargedimpressionable reinforoement for said ends and being substantiallythicker than the remainder of said pad; a stiffener embedded in at leastone or" said tubular members and extending the length thereof; saidstiffener being flexible lengthwise and rigid crosswise; said sideportions having elongated beads therein projecting outwardly from asurface of said pad, spaced from and extending aparallel to the marginthereof. 7

11. A pad for body supporting furniture comprising: a pad of flexiblematerial, said pad having a pair of opposite side portions and a pair ofopposite end portions; said end portions each "having an enlargedtubular member extending substantially the full length thereof; saidtubular member being filled with a flexible foam for forming an enlargedimpressionable reinforcement for said ends and being substantiallythicker than the remainder of said pad; said side portions havingelongated beads therein projecting outwardly from a surface of said pad,spaced rom and extending parallel to the margin thereof; l1ollowreinforcement members mounted in each of'said side portions at spacedintervals and defining holes. through said pad for the reception offixed supports wherebly said pad may be supported from its side portionsboth by suspension from said reinforcement members and by clamping aboutsaid beads on said side portions.

l2. A pad for'body supporting furniture comprising: a pad of flexiblematerial, said pad having a pair of opposite side portions and a pair ofopposite end portions; one of said end portions having an enlargedtubular member extending substantially the full length thereof; saidtubular member being filled with a flexible foam for forming an enlargedimpressionable reinforcement for said ends and being substantiallythicker than the remainder of said pad; a stiffener embedded in saidtubular member and extending the length thereof; said stificner beingflexile lengthwise and rigid crosswise.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

1. A PAD FOR BODY SUPPORTING FURNITURE COMPRISING: AN ENVELOPE OF MATERIALS CHARACTERIZED BY FLEXIBILITY AND HIGH RESISTANCE TO WEAR; SAID PAD HAVING A PAIR OF OPPOSITE SIDE PORTIONS AND A PAIR OF OPPOSITE END PORTIONS; SAID ENVELOPE BETWEEN SAID SIDE AND END PORTIONS BEING THE MAIN BODY OF SAID PAD AND FILLED WITH A FLEXIBLE FOAM; SAID END PORTIONS HAVING A PAIR OF FOAM FILLED RIDGES EACH OF THE SAME GENERAL THICKNESS AS THE MAIN BODY OF SAID PAD; SAID RIDGES EXTENDING LENGTHWISE OF SAID END PORTIONS AND BEING SEPARATED FROM EACH OTHER AND FROM SAID MAIN BODY OF SAID PAD BY AREAS WHERE SAID ENVELOPE MATERIALS OF THE OPPOSITE FACES THEREOF ARE IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER AND JOINED TOGETHER; THE OUTER OF SAID RIDGES BEING FOLDED BACK UPON THE INNER ONE THEREOF AND MEANS SECURING SAID OUTER RIDGE IN SAID FOLDED POSITION TO IMPART TO SAID END PORTIONS GREATER BODY AND STIFFNES THAN THAT OF SAID MAIN BODY OF SAID PAD. 